Potential
The Jimmy Castor Bunch Lyrics

There it is
The situation being discussed is present and readily apparent

Walkin' down the street one day yeah
The singer was simply going about their day when something caught their attention

Doin' nothin'
The singer was not engaged in any particular activity or mission

Saw this woman
The artist spotted an attractive female

Really somethin'
The woman was particularly striking or impressive

I say this woman
The singer addresses the woman directly

So fine
The singer finds the woman very attractive

I want you bay, bay yeah
The artist expresses their desire to be with the woman

To be mine
The artist wishes to pursue a romantic relationship with the woman

You got potential
The artist sees qualities in the woman that indicate she could be a good partner

In my life
The singer is considering the woman's potential impact on their own life

Beautiful woman
The artist continues to admire the woman

I got you now
The singer believes they have gained the woman's affection or attention

At least you got me bay, bay, yeah
However, the singer acknowledges that it's possible they still have work to do to win the woman over

'Cause you got potential
The singer reiterates that they see qualities in the woman that they find promising

The word's potential
The song now focuses on exploring the word 'potential'

P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L
The letters that spell out 'potential'

No matter how fast you say it
The speed at which the word is spoken does not impact its meaning

How slow you say it
Similarly, the speed at which the word is spoken is inconsequential to its meaning

Swiftly
Another way of saying 'quickly'

Slowly
Another way of saying 'at a leisurely pace'

It still means the same thing
Regardless of the pace or delivery method, 'potential' always means the same thing

If she's got potential
The song returns to the woman being discussed earlier

Grab her
The artist advises others to pursue a woman if they see potential in her

It's a funny word, potential
The songwriter acknowledges that 'potential' is a peculiar word that resonates with people

Elwood?
The songwriter addresses someone named Elwood

Yeah?
Elwood responds

How would you say p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l?
The songwriter asks Elwood how he would pronounce the word 'potential'

'Tential!
Elwood gives his pronunciation, which is shortened to remove the 'p'

'Cuse me, what happen to the P, baby?
The songwriter inquires about the missing 'p' in Elwood's pronunciation

Alright
The conversation continues

Potential
The songwriter repeats the word, both to reinforce its meaning and to address any uncertainties in pronunciation

Langdon?
The singer moves on to address a new person, Langdon

Landon's pretty junior here
The songwriter acknowledges that Langdon may be young or inexperienced

Langdon?
The songwriter addresses Langdon again

How would you say p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l?
The songwriter asks Langdon to give his take on how the word 'potential' is pronounced

Po-tential
Langdon pronounces the word similarly to Elwood, without the 'p'

You went to church on me, baby.
The songwriter jokes that Langdon gave a heavily accented pronunciation

Potential
The word is repeated again

Potential
Another repetition of the word

Already, hey Douglas?
The songwriter now addresses Douglas

Yeah, baby?
Douglas responds

Would you say p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l for me?
The songwriter asks Douglas to give his pronunciation of 'potential'

You go po..ten..ti..a..l
Douglas spells out the word a little more deliberately than previous speakers

Ray Charles on me, huh?
The songwriter references the famous musician Ray Charles

Ray Charles, you out there?
The songwriter calls out to Ray Charles as if he were present

Let me her you say it, huh?
The songwriter asks Ray Charles to pronounce the word 'potential'

Whah wha whah wha whah
The songwriter imitates Ray Charles' signature sound, as if he were singing the word 'potential'

Gerald?
The songwriter now speaks to Gerald

Yes?
Gerald responds

Gerald Elliott is, is a bit subdued
The songwriter notes that Gerald is acting more reserved than previous speakers

I am?
Gerald clarifies his reaction

Very cool
The songwriter compliments Gerald on his demeanor

I am.
Gerald agrees

Hey Gerald
The songwriter addresses Gerald once more

Yes?
Gerald responds again

If I were to say p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l what would that spell?
The songwriter asks Gerald to spell out the word 'potential'

Possibility
Gerald provides a synonym rather than spelling out the word

Wait a minute, baby, I didn't ask for Webster's meaning.
The songwriter jokes that he was not asking for a dictionary definition

You didn't?
Gerald responds, catching onto the joke

Are you sayin' that potential and possibility are synonyms?
The songwriter questions whether the two words are interchangeable

Ah, possibly.
Gerald provides another pun by acknowledging that the two words may be synonymous

Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy. heavy, let's go down south, North Carolina, hey Jefferey
The songwriter uses repetition for emphasis and then addresses a new person, Jefferey

Jefferey Miles Grimes is from North Carolina, hey, Jefferey, put a little drawl on it for me.
The songwriter notes Jefferey's home state and asks him to use an accent when pronouncing 'potential'

Ah-rite.
Jefferey agrees and provides his pronunciation

P-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l spells?
The songwriter confirms that Jefferey is spelling out the word

Poh-ten-shawl
Jefferey's pronunciation utilizes a strong Southern accent

Poh, Edgar Allen Poe-tential. Hah! Your Poh ass, I think, hah, potential.
The songwriter ties Jefferey's pronunciation to Edgar Allen Poe and makes another joke about the word 'potential'

No matter how you say it, Though, p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l says potential, potential, potential, possibilities, it doesn't Matter, potential, oh ah whaw wha ahhhyee.
The song concludes by emphasizing the importance and flexibility of the word 'potential'